Allie. . .

I've had a few people asking, so I'm just going to write a brief update. She has not had any seizure episodes since September!!! She has not had any torticollis (neck tilting) since the beginning of March. I put a couple pictures of her torticollis (bottom two) and her "now" picture on the top. Pediatric neurology "signed off" on her in May. That means no more appointments, tests, blood draws, etc. YAY!!!! She is doing really well and completely developmentally normal! She truly is our little miracle!!!

This Is The Place State Park

Panning for gold

Kylie getting an "old-fashion" shave.

Train Ride

Kaden plowing the garden

Making Candles

Little people village

School time






Ice cream break!

Kylie feeding the lamb


Petting Zoo

Pony rides












This is one of our favorite summer outings. The kids love "Baby Animal Days" at This is the Place.

No Dystonia!!!!

After nearly 2 months of waiting for this test result, it came back negative (meaning no dystonia)! I am so relieved!!! Now they want to admit Allie to the hospital for 3 days and see if they can catch her episodes on an EEG. This would diagnose if she was having seizures. Because her episodes are only every 2-3 weeks, this may be hard to time when she would have some. Also, because of respiratory season, they said the hospital is too full so we can't just call when she starts showing symptoms. So. . . the neurologist team is going to discuss what they want to do at this point. Thanks so much to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and support!!!!

Update on Allie

We finally got test results back!!! Allie's MRI was completely normal. From her lumbar puncture, they found that she had decreased HVA (homovanillic acid) in her cerebral spinal fluid. The neurologist says this is reason for her seizure-like episodes. So. . . we went back up to Primary Children's Hospital to get her blood drawn again yesterday. They are testing her tyrosine hydroxylase level. It has to be sent to a geneticist in Georgia, so it will be another 3 weeks or so until we get results back. This should tell us IF she has dystonia (a neuromuscular disorder which can be controlled by medication) and if she does, how mild or severe it is.

The neurologist said that sometimes babies levels are just off and they can get better on their own (essentially "grow out of it"). It has been 4 weeks since she has had any "episodes" and her neck is doing better so he said he feels optimistic about this.

We are so happy and feeling so blessed that she is doing better!!! I know that priesthood blessings work!!! It is a true power from God.

Some pictures. . .

More pictures. . .

Camping at the wedge in San Rafael Swell.

Lake Mead

Kaden at Discovery Gateway. I think this is the only non-blurry picture of him because he would not stand still there (way too much to see and do).

Allie's blessing day

Kylie in Princess Bootcamp

What a great big sister!!!

Welcome Allie!

Allina Jane was born March 12 weighing 6lbs 3oz and 19 inches long. After 25 hours of unmedicated labor, she entered the world into Grandma's arms (my mom) and Nana (Jake's mom) cut the cord while Jake was by my side holding his oxygen in one hand and my hand in the other. Jake and I both made it through :). So far, she has been an amazingly good baby. Kylie is loving her little sister and Kaden has been a lot better with her than I anticipated.